How Neat Is That?: Captain's Log: Day 1

We got up early the morning after our long journey to the Big Island and got ready to set off for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Although we were exhausted from a ton of flight time the day before, we had the time change on our side in the morning. The guys got up extra early to eat all the breakfast food at the Breakfast Lanai and secure seats in the MANhicle, two moves which were key to success.

Fighting the travel weariness

At the park, we drove to Kilauea Iki, a large pit crater near Kilauea Caldera that last erupted in 1959. The hike in provided Gordon ample opportunity to inform us of the local flora. Once on the opposite side of the pit, we hiked down onto the crater floor. We spent the next hour and a half scrambling and climbing across the crater floor, generally in places off the acceptable path.

Enjoying the view of Iki

Paul drops some knowledge bombs on the group

Trek around Kilauea Iki

Taking the path less beaten off the crater floor

Big 'ol fractures

Defiling National Forest drill holes

Hiking across the floor, someone asked if the drill holes the USGS used to the determine depth of magma were still there. After some looking, we discovered that they indeed still existed. We decided to measure the depth of the hole we uncovered using the rock-drop method. Science.

After a quick lunch break back at ye ol' Lanai, we headed back out to the park to Kipuka Puaulu, a small vegetated "island" surrounded by lava. The trip around the footpath took an unexpected turn when we discovered the caved-in entrance to a millennia-old lava tube. Breaking out our headlamps, we discovered that it continued for quite aways underground. Disagreeable mustiness and general unease regarding the 12+ legged monster caused us to abandon our search for another entrance.